Uncover Fes's Hidden Gem: MIA Hotels' Luxury Awaits!
Uncover Fes's Hidden Gem: MIA Hotels - My Moroccan Adventure (That's Actually Pretty Amazing)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a trip to Fes, Morocco, and let me tell you, it was wild. And amidst the chaotic souks, the snake charmers (seriously!), and the amazing food, there was a haven of calm and luxury: MIA Hotels. Seriously, if you're planning a trip to Fes, you NEED to know about this place. It's not just a hotel; it's an experience.
Let's be real, I usually stay in hostels. But my friend, bless her, insisted on splurging (thanks, Sarah!) and I'm SO glad she did. This place…wow. I’m going to try and break it down, but my brain's still stuck on mint tea and tagine, so bear with me.
Accessibility? (Because, you know, it's 2024):
Okay, so I didn't personally need it, but I did see a few things that made me think of accessibility. The website talks about facilities for disabled guests, and I think I saw an elevator. They also had those ramps in the lobby – although it was so beautiful, I could barely focus on my feet.
The Hotel Itself: The Vibe (and the "Things to Do" While You're Doing Not Much at All):
First of all, this isn’t your cookie-cutter chain hotel. It’s… well, imagine a Moorish palace, but like, updated. Think intricate tilework, lush fabrics, and courtyards that just beg you to sip a cocktail (more on cocktails later!). The whole place just oozes relaxation. And, honestly, after wrestling with the crowds in the medina, "relaxation" was practically my middle name.
Ways to Relax (aka, My Obsession with the Spa):
Alright, confession time: I spent approximately half my vacation in the MIA Hotels spa. No regrets. Zero.
- The Spa: Okay, picture this: a dimly lit room, the scent of essential oils (which, side note, is like instant zen), and a masseuse who seems to have actual magic hands. Yeah, that was me. I booked a massage. It was… transcendent. Honestly, it was so good, I almost cried. (Okay, I might have actually teared up a little. Don't judge.) They offer body scrubs and body wraps, too. Next time, I'm going for the full shebang.
- The Pool with a View: chef's kiss. It's an outdoor pool, and you have this stunning view of the city. I spent an afternoon just floating, occasionally ordering a drink from the poolside bar (more on that in a sec). Pure bliss.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Spa/Sauna: Yep, they’ve got it all if you’re into that sort of thing. I didn't even make it to the Fitness center (I was too busy eating and lounging!), but it was there, and it looked… equipped.
Food Glorious Food (aka, I Ate EVERYTHING):
Okay, the food at MIA Hotels? Spectacular. I’m a massive foodie, and I'm not easily impressed. But, honestly, the food was amazing.
- Restaurants: The restaurants are a big deal. They had an a la carte menu, a buffet, and everything in between.
- Asian Cuisine in Restaurant: Surprisingly, there was an Asian restaurant. I’m talking spring rolls, sushi, the whole shebang. Delicious!
- The Bar: OMG, the bar! They had a great happy hour, and the cocktails… I think I tried every single one on the menu. They also serve coffees/teas .
- Breakfast: The breakfast buffet was epic, (and I am not a morning person). They had, the usual Western breakfast and they also offer Asian breakfast options. The service was wonderful. Not a bad way to start the day!
**(Side note: They had a *snack bar* and room service [24-hour], which I definitely took advantage of after a late night exploring the souks).
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, in the current climate, you need to know):
Look, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. And I was seriously impressed with the cleanliness. MIA Hotels are taking it seriously.
- Hygiene certification :I didn't specifically see it, but it was mentioned on their site.
- Daily Disinfection: Daily disinfection in common areas and the rooms.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Definitely felt like everything was spotless.
Rooms: My Little Palace (or, how I accidentally ended up in a suite):
The rooms were gorgeous. My friend, bless her, had booked a suite (told you she likes to splurge!). I only got to sneak a peek, but even the standard rooms were beautiful.
- Air Conditioning: Essential in Fes!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes!
- Air conditioning in public area: This can be found in some of the areas and lounges.
- Extra long bed: Excellent for being as comfy as possible.
- Hair dryer: A necessity for beautiful hair.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: Ahhh, luxury.
- Satellite/cable channels: You know, for when you just want to veg out watching TV.
Services and Conveniences:
- Concierge: Super helpful, especially with navigating the medina (seriously, get a good map!).
- Contactless check-in/out: Smooth and easy.
- Laundry service: Because, let's be honest, you’re gonna need it.
- Daily housekeeping: Every day the room was spotless. Magical.
- Room service: 24-hour room service is the best thing.
- Currency exchange: Super helpful.
- Elevator: Thank goodness for elevators after all that walking!
- Car park [free of charge]: Perfect if you're driving (I wasn't, but it's good to know!).
- Luggage storage: Makes check-out a breeze.
Getting Around (Because, let's be honest, Fes is a maze):
- Airport transfer: Definitely arrange this! It's a godsend after a long flight.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
For the Kids (Because, Family Matters!):
I didn't have any kids with me but I did see they have a Babysitting Service and offer Kids meal options. They also have Kids facilities.
Now, for the Honest Stuff (The Imperfections, if You Will):
Look, no place is perfect. Here’s what could be improved:
- The noise: Okay, the souks are LOUD. I'm not pointing fingers at the hotel, but you'll hear the calls to prayer. That's part of the experience.
- The Wi-Fi: It was good, but not amazing. But let's be honest, for a vacation, it was perfectly fine.
My Verdict: You Need to Stay at MIA Hotels.
Seriously. If you're going to Fes, do yourself a favor and book a room at MIA Hotels. It's an oasis of calm, luxury, and amazing food in the heart of a vibrant and chaotic city. You'll thank me later. I guarantee it.
Now, for the Ultimate Offer (because you deserve it):
Tired of the Souks? Craving Serenity in Fes?
MIA Hotels is Your Escape!
Book Your Stay at MIA Hotels Today and Receive:
- A complimentary upgrade (subject to availability) - Imagine that suite!
- A free bottle of Moroccan wine on arrival - Cheers to your vacation!
- A 20% discount on a spa treatment - You deserve some pampering!
- Complimentary daily breakfast - Because starting your day right is everything.
- Early check-in / Late check-out (upon availability) - Because let's be honest you're here to relax when you can.
Why MIA Hotels?
- Unparalleled Luxury: Immerse yourself in Moorish elegance and modern comfort.
- A Spa That Will Change Your Life: Seriously.
- Culinary Delights: Savor authentic Moroccan cuisine and international favorites.
- Perfect Location: Close to the heart of the action, yet a world away from the chaos.
- Peace of Mind: Impeccable cleanliness and dedicated staff ensure a safe and relaxing stay.
- Unforgettable Memories: Create a travel experience unlike any other.
Don't Miss Out! This offer is valid for a limited time only. Visit [Insert Booking Link Here] and use code "FESESCAPE" at checkout to claim your exclusive perks.
Goa's Hidden Gem: Selfia Guest House - Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, chaotic, and potentially disastrous adventure that is my MIA HOTELS Fes, Morocco itinerary. Forget those perfectly curated, Instagram-ready schedules. This is the real deal. This is me, in Fes, and you're along for the ride.
Day 1: Arrival, "Orientation," and the Great Tagine-Off (aka, Immediately Becoming Lost)
- Morning (But Let's Be Honest, It'll Probably Be Afternoon): Arrive at Fes-Saïss Airport (FEZ). The initial plan? "Effortless transfer" to MIA HOTELS in the medina. Reality? Probably a sweaty taxi negotiation with a guy whose English consists of "Very good price, madam!" and the urgent need to get the bags in the trunk. My inner control freak is already twitching.
- Quirk Observation: Airport bathrooms. Always a good indicator of the journey to come. Hoping for clean, but expecting…well, let’s just say I’ll pack extra hand sanitizer.
- Afternoon: Check into MIA HOTELS. (Fingers crossed the room matches the photos!) After the initial orientation of the room, I'll try to make the most of the opportunity they presented, and I will probably get lost, wandering through the medina. "Orientation" is a generous term. More like "trial by fire."
- Anecdote Inevitable: Last time I tried to "navigate" a medina, I ended up bartering for a rug I didn't need and a donkey ride that felt suspiciously like a slow-motion roller coaster. Expect repeat performance, but this time with hopefully more successful bargaining.
- Evening: The Great Tagine-Off! I'm on a mission to find the perfect lamb tagine. Research suggests a place called something like "Restaurant Chez… something I can’t pronounce." Likely to involve more wandering, more getting lost, and the potential to stumble upon a spice market so overwhelming I'll buy enough saffron to bankrupt me.
- Emotional Reaction: Excitement! Fear! Hunger! This meal will be the make-or-break point of my entire trip. If the tagine is bland, I'm going home. Kidding (maybe).
- Rambling aside: I've been watching too many travel vlogs. Everyone raves about tagine. But what if I just don't like it? Will I be banished from Fes? Will the locals sneer at my culinary inadequacies? Must. Find. Delicious. Tagine.
Day 2: The Souks, the Leather Tanneries (and Maybe a Vomit-Inducing Smell), and the Mystery of the Missing Wallet
- Morning: Souk exploration! Armed with a slightly better grasp of the local currency and a vague idea of where I am, I'm determined to haggle for some souvenirs. Pottery, spices, maybe a ridiculously ornate metal lamp that I will definitely regret buying after.
- Quirk Observation: How much mint tea can one person possibly drink in 24 hours? My internal organs are screaming.
- Messy Aside: Last time in a souk, I accidentally bought a fake designer handbag. It fell apart within an hour. Lesson learned: stick to spices.
- Afternoon: The Leather Tanneries. The pictures are incredible. The reality, I am told, is pungent. I'm bracing myself for a sensory overload of smells and sights… and potentially some nausea.
- Opinion: Anyone who says leather tanneries smell "distinctive" or "earthy" is either lying or has lost their sense of smell. Prepare for an experience that will genuinely test your gag reflex.
- Evening: Dinner at a rooftop restaurant with a view of the medina. (Hopefully with a view that's not obstructed by a pigeon coop.) And then, the realization: My wallet is missing. Cue the internal panic. (This is a hypothetical, and my wallet is safe…I hope.)
- Emotional Reaction: Complete and utter panic. Where? When? How? Did I get pickpocketed? Did I leave it in that ridiculously expensive shop? Cue the frantic retracing of steps, calling the hotel, and generally feeling like a complete idiot.
- Stream-of-consciousness: Okay, deep breaths. Think. Wallet, credit cards, identification… the abyss of potential paperwork. Don't. Panic. Just. Don't. Panic.
Day 3: Pottery and the Desert and the Worst Coffee Ever and more exploring
- Morning: Some class to create pottery, and a little stroll in this beautiful city to relax, and start the day with more enthusiasm.
- Afternoon: A day trip into the desert! I'm envisioning dramatic sand dunes and camel rides. Prepare for the inevitable sand in everything, and the sheer, overwhelming beauty of the desert sky.
- Opinion: Forget crowded beaches. The desert is where it's at. So quiet, so expansive, and so…hot. But worth it.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant that's advertised as "romantic." (Translation: dim lighting, questionable service, and overpriced food.) Coffee… terrible coffee. I will try it anyway.
- Emotional Reaction: Exhaustion, the kind of contented weariness that comes from pushing your comfort zone, experiencing new things, and getting ridiculously lost.
- Rambling: I am not a morning person, not even in the desert. I really hope there is a good coffee shop near my hotel. I can't last the day without a good coffee.
Day 4: Hamman and a "Farewell" Tagine… and Saying Goodbye
- Morning: Hamman time! The ritual bath experience. Expect to be scrubbed, steamed, and feeling like a new person… or a well-cooked lobster, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
- Opinion: This is mandatory. Embrace the cultural experience. Just keep your eyes on your valuables and try not to make direct eye contact with anyone while completely naked.
- Afternoon: A final, triumphant tagine feast. This time at a restaurant that, hopefully, I can actually pronounce.
- Double Down on experience: This time, I might try to make my own tagine! I will ask the chef to give me the exact recipe. This is not just a meal; this is a quest.
- Emotional Reaction: Bitter-sweet. Sad to leave, but also… ready for a proper shower.
- Evening: Last-minute souvenir shopping (the frantic kind). Then, a final stroll through the medina, soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells.
- Stream-of-consciousness: Okay, gotta buy something for my mom. And my sister. And maybe a scarf for myself. But I'm already running out of space in my suitcase. And…do I really want to go home?
- Farewell Thoughts: Fes, you magnificent, chaotic, and utterly captivating city. You challenged me, confused me, and, at times, nearly broke me. But I loved every messy, fragrant, and slightly terrifying moment. Until next time… (because, let's be honest, I'll be back).
Day 5: Departure and post-trip chaos
- Morning: Wake up, maybe.
- Afternoon: Go to the airport and go home.
- Evening: Sort out the hundreds of pictures I took during the entire visit. And book my next visit to Fes.
Uncover Fes's Hidden Gem: MIA Hotels' Luxury Awaits! (And Here's the REAL Deal)
Okay, so MIA Hotels. Is it *really* luxury? Like, actual, honest-to-goodness, “I feel like royalty” luxury?
Alright, let's get real. "Luxury" is thrown around like confetti these days. And honestly? Yeah, MIA actually comes pretty close. It's not the *over-the-top, everything-is-gold-plated-and-you'll-owe-your-firstborn* kind of luxury, thank GOD. It's more… refined. Think: *effortlessly* beautiful. I remember the first time I walked into my riad (they call them riads, by the way – fancy!), and I just… gasped. It was the **smell** first – this subtle, intoxicating blend of orange blossom and something else… maybe a hint of incense? Anyway, I wandered around for a good twenty minutes, just touching the fabrics, staring at the intricate tilework. I even, and I'm not proud of this necessarily, but I *did* run my hand along the smooth, cool surface of the marble in the bathroom and let out a small, involuntary "Mmm." So yeah, luxury-ish. Definite thumbs up from this slightly jaded travel blogger (that's me!).
Location, location, location! Where *exactly* are these MIA Hotels? Are we talking conveniently located, or "lost in the maze of Fes" located? Because I'm clumsy.
Okay, so this is where things get *slightly*… interesting. They're technically *in* the medina. Which is, let's be honest, a glorious, chaotic, sensory overload of a maze! My first thought when I arrived was, "OMG, I'm going to get lost forever and become a delicious snack for a stray cat." (Kidding! Mostly.) But here's the genius of MIA: while they're *in* the medina, they’re somehow *close enough* to be convenient without being completely swallowed by the craziness. I mean, even a map like that is useless, believe me, I tried it. You’ll likely rely on the hotel’s pre-arranged transport (which, by the way, I *highly* recommend – more on that later). It's like they've secretly carved out a little bubble of zen from the vibrant chaos. It's an excellent location, you can reach quickly everywhere, as I thought.
The transport situation… you mentioned it. Spill. Is it a painful taxi ride or a magical carpet ride?
Okay, let's talk transport. Forget the magical carpet ride (though, wouldn't that be AMAZING?). The taxi situation in Fes can be… *challenging*. Haggling is expected, and I'm terrible at it. So, THANK GOODNESS for MIA's pre-arranged transport. Seriously, it's a lifesaver. They send a driver (almost always a very friendly, helpful man) to pick you up and drop you off in a car that *isn't* held together with duct tape. It's air-conditioned! And the best part? They drop you right at the entrance to the riad, so no wandering around lost and bewildered, praying for a rescue. Worth every penny. I mean, after a few days without such luxury I almost lost it and lost my mind.
Let's talk food. Because, you know, sustenance. Is the food at MIA anything to write home about? (And can I get a decent coffee?)
Okay, food! This is important. The short answer: YES. The food is *fantastic*. From the breakfast spread, which included fresh fruit, homemade pastries, and delicious, dark coffee (yes, you can get decent coffee!), to the dinners served at the riad. They offer authentic Moroccan cuisine. Tagines that were so flavorful, I almost had tears of joy streaming down my face. Every single thing was so well made. And oh, the mint tea! They make the best mint tea I've ever tasted. And their pastry! I wanted to buy a ton to bring home, but it wouldn't be the same once I'd returned. It’s a real treat. Be sure to try the local specialities like tagine and couscous. They also have international dishes if Moroccan food isn't to your liking.
What's the service like? Are the staff welcoming and helpful, or cold and indifferent? (I need to know if I can ask for extra pillows!)
The service! This is where MIA *really* shines. Forget cold and indifferent. The staff are absolutely wonderful. Warm, friendly, and genuinely helpful. They remembered my name (creepy, but in a good way!), anticipated my needs, and always had a smile. They're always ready to offer recommendations, book tours, and, yes, provide extra pillows (I tested this theory). One time, I was having a little meltdown trying to figure out how to get a SIM card, and the receptionist spent like, twenty minutes on the phone helping me sort it out. That kind of service is priceless. They all are really amazing. Just… amazing.
Any downsides? Be honest. Nothing's perfect.
Okay, time for the real talk. Yes, there are *minor* downsides. The internet can be a little spotty in some rooms. And, because you're in the medina, you *will* hear the call to prayer. (It's beautiful, eventually… but the early mornings are intense for light sleepers, but the beautiful sounds will soon become your alarm!). Oh! And sometimes, the water pressure in the shower is a little… variable. (Again, not a dealbreaker, but worth noting). But honestly? These are nitpicks. They are really insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Would you go back? (And would *you* recommend MIA Hotels to a friend?)
Absolutely. A resounding YES. I would go back in a heartbeat. And yes, I will be recommending MIA Hotels to EVERYONE! In fact, I’ve already started planning my return trip. Because after all the dust settles, and all those little imperfections are put to the wayside, the experience leaves you with an amazing sensation of luxury, serenity, and memories you won't soon forget. Also, I almost forgot to mention that the architecture and decoration is very original, so just a walk through the halls is a pleasure.
